🇺🇸 Kenya safaris from New York
Kenya Safaris from New York City
Kenya Airways' direct JFK–Nairobi flight makes New York the easiest jumping-off point in the Americas for a Kenyan safari.
Flight time
~14h35 direct from JFK
Best season
June–October (Migration), December–February
Visa
US passport holders need an eTA — $30 online, 2–3 days.
Airlines
Kenya Airways (JFK–NBO direct), Qatar via Doha, Emirates via Dubai, KLM via Amsterdam
Why travellers from New York choose us
Built for the way you travel
New York–based travellers tend to want to go big when they go away — and Kenya repays that. One direct flight from JFK, and you can be in the Mara by lunch the next day. We see a lot of two-week summer trips and February escapes from the cold.
Most NYC guests take 10–14 days. Direct flight makes it easy to do safari plus a beach week without losing days to layovers.
Suggested itineraries
Trips designed from NYC
9 days
Mara + Diani long weekend trip
Five days safari, three nights on the Indian Ocean — uses the direct JFK flight to maximum effect.
Customise this trip →12 days
Classic Kenya circuit
Amboseli, Nakuru, Maasai Mara and a coastal extension on Diani.
Customise this trip →14 days
Honeymoon: Laikipia & Lamu
Private conservancies, walking safaris, and barefoot luxury on Lamu old town.
Customise this trip →FAQ
Questions from travellers in New York
- Is there a direct flight from New York to Nairobi?
- Yes — Kenya Airways operates a daily nonstop JFK–NBO in about 14h35. Eastbound is overnight; westbound is daytime.
- Do New Yorkers need a visa for Kenya?
- An eTA replaces the visa. Apply at etakenya.go.ke, $30, approved in 2–3 days. Print the PDF before flying.
- Best time to escape NYC for a safari?
- February is gorgeous (warm, dry, calving season) and great for escaping winter. June–October catches the Great Migration.
- How does jet lag compare to a European trip?
- Kenya is GMT+3, so 8 hours ahead of NYC in winter (7 in summer). It's a real adjustment but the overnight direct from JFK helps — most clients are functional by the second day.
- Can I do it in a week?
- You can — five days in the Mara plus travel days makes a tight but real safari. We can also pair it with Dubai or Amsterdam stopovers if you want to break the flight.
Ready when you are
Let's plan your safari from NYC.
Tell us your dates and what you'd love to see — we'll send back a tailor-made itinerary, usually within 24 hours.